| Raleigh, Feby 6, 1864 |
| |
| Major S. B. French |
| CS |
| Richmond VA |
| |
| Major, |
| I arrived here this morning
from Charlotte, and ascertained that the chief block has been at Gaston,
occasioned in a great degree by the absorption of the rolling stock of
the Raleigh & Gaston and Petersburg Road in the transportation of
troops. Some 35 cars of the former road laden with corn had been delayed
there (at Gaston) for a week or more. The presidents of the two roads
are at loggerheads, and cannot come to an understanding so as to allow
the cars of the R&G Road to run upon the Petersburg road, but for this,
the cars that have been delayed at Gaston, might have discharged their
corn at Petersburg & done much to relieve the block. In the mean time
the Depot of the NCa Road is crowded & one of the floors crushed in by
the heavy pressure, and the platform filled with some 2600 or 3000 bags
corn exposed to the weather. |
| I just learn that a train has
moved off from Gaston, (of the Petersburg cars) laden with corn, & that
the cars of that road would soon be pushing forward the accumulations
there. But it is important to see that the exposed corn here, is
protected from the weather which is threatening. I am endeavoring to get
the agent of the R & G road to load up the cars he has here (which by
the way he has first to unload) tomorrow, & have requested Capt Pearce
to protect the corn by tent cloth from ruin, which he tells me shall be
done & he will give the use of all his hands to loading the cars. I
shall lay over here tomorrow & do all in my power to protect the corn &
hurry it to its destination. |
| Hoping to hear from you in the
mean time & referring to my despatch of today. |
| I am Very Respectfully |
| W H Smith |
| Major & CS |
|